The official flag handover took place this afternoon with Mr Anton Pospíšek, President of the Slovak Judo Federation, Dr Tóth László, President of the European Judo Union (EJU), and Mr Jovica Recevic, President of the Montenegrin Judo Federation.
After successfully staging the Senior European Championships in 2025, Montenegro is now ready to carry that momentum forward by hosting the Junior European Championships in 2026. Podgorica, already a regular stop on the EJU calendar with several European Cups, is eager to take on this new challenge.
Following the ceremony, President Recevic shared his reflections:
“We are honoured to continue this journey. The Senior European Championships were the biggest sporting event ever organised in Montenegro, and they left us with not only pride but also valuable experience. Now, we are ready to bring that same standard to the Junior European Championships in 2026.”
He emphasised the long-term impact on Montenegrin judo: “After hosting the seniors, we saw a real increase in children starting judo. Our base is now much bigger, and this new event will only add more value to our federation and to the sport in Montenegro.”
Recevic highlighted the federation’s strong collaboration with the EJU: “We have excellent cooperation with the European Judo Union, especially with President Dr Tóth László and his team. Together we have shown that we can deliver at the highest level, and we are motivated to continue proving ourselves.”
Montenegro’s commitment to developing judo through hosting continues: “We will maintain our European Cups, including this year’s Junior Cup in November, and more events are already planned. Thanks to the experience we gained from organising the senior championships, the junior event will be easier for us, though still a big challenge and of course will require the same dedication. Still, we are confident we will once again justify the trust placed in us.”
The 2026 Junior European Championships in Podgorica promise to be another milestone for Montenegro, building on the legacy of 2025 and further cementing its role as a key organiser on the European judo stage.
Author: Szandra Szogedi